Main Street businesses struggling to survive COVID-19 pandemic

FRANKLIN — Main Street Indiana is struggling to survive the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether it's Kokomo, Martinsville, Carmel or Avon, small businesses that employ thousands of Hoosiers are making tough decisions. They're looking at all options to provide a paycheck.

Sherry Young is keeping with the orders for carryout. They're keeping her business open, but barely.

"I'm operating right on the edge, don't know how much food to order, not sure I can get the food I need, that's getting tough," Young said.

Since mid-March, Young has had to lay off more than a dozen people from the Court Street Cafe in Franklin.

"We are like family, all precious to me. I've had to look at those with the greatest need," Young said. "I've had to say to some you know that are paying daycare, 'You know if you work it's probably going to cost you to work because I can't give you enough hours to cover the cost of what you will spend.'"

Young spoke with RTV6 last Saturday, when the wait time for breakfast would normally be 45 minutes. The dining room is dark. The last few weeks — devastating. But, Young is determined to one day dish about this moment.

"I hope we look back at this and realize that no matter how hard life seems that we can be kind, that we can still be generous," Young said.

Copyright 2020 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.